Aircraft control mechanism



'INQV. 19, 1929. A. J.- STYLES I 3 i I a AIRCRAFT CONTROL MECFIANISH Filed"Jan 12. 1928 s Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor q B. B flttarnqy Nov. 19,1929. A. J. STYLES 1,736,230

AIRCRAFT CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Jan. 12, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q N X\ 3 T \fi o o 1 X o A o a lnwntar Nov. 19, 1929. A. J. STYLES 1,736,230

AIRCRAFT CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Jan. 12, 1928 s Sheets-Sheet a I Inventor I I 4 J Attorngy q BJQM .2

Patented Nov. 19, 1929 ASA J'. STYLES, OF ESMOND, NORTH DAKOTA AIRCRAFT QONTROL MECHANISM Application filed January 12, 1928. Serial No. 2%,265.v

The present invention relates to the art of aeronautics and has for its prime object to provide improved means for controlling,

stabilizing or steering heavier than air-craft in the air, or steering or maneuvering same on the ground;

Another very important object of the invention resides in the provision of a propeller for creating currents of air for the purpose of guiding the aeroplane either vertically,

horizontally or laterally.

Another very important object of the invention resides in the provision of a mecha nism of this nature which may be used either as a substitute oras an auxiliary to the control means now in common use such as rudders, elevators, ailerons, and thelike.

A still furtherver'y important object of the invention resides in the provision of a mechanism of this nature which when used as an auxiliary control means may be brought into operation after the main means has been actuated.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of amechanism of this naturewhich is simple in its constructions, and thoroughly eificient and reliable in its operation, and can operate independently of the rate of speed of the craft through the air.

With the above and numerous other objects in view as will appear as the descrlption proceeds, the inventlon resides 1n certaln novel features of construction, and in the combina-' tion and arrangement of parts as will be here inafter more fully described and claimed.

In the drawing: I

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an aeroplane showing my improved mechanism incorporated therein,

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the tail portion of the aeroplane,

Figure 3 is a detail view of a foot operable element for actuating one of the usual controls on the aeroplane in conjunction with means to bring into operation my improved mechanism. 1 Figure4 is a sectional view taken substantially onthe line 4-4 of Figure 1,

Figure- 5 is a pers ective viewof one of the clutch operatmg orks,

Figures 6 and 7 are top plan views showing my lmproved mechanism incorporated in the ailerons and planes respectively.

, Referring to the drawing in detail it will i be seen that in the present example of the inventionI have illustrated the well known type of aeroplane includinga fuselage 5 haV-' ing a tail portion6 which includes elevators 7 and a' rudder 8. The elevator 7 and rudder 8 are provided in their stationary portions. with openings 9. Spiders 10 are mounted to span the openings 9 one to each side thereof and have central bearings 11 for receiving shafts 12 on which are a plurality of fan blades or propellers 14. The pressure of air fan is reversible, of course, by reversing the direction of its rotation, its blades being fixed, and that construction I prefer and illustrate herein. But it maybe reversed also by reversing the set or angle of moveable blades, or by other suitable means. The

shafts 12 are connected with' flexible shafting 15 operable by slidable-clutch elements 16 for engaging clutch elements 17 operated by prime movers 18. The numeral 19 denotes a manually actuated controlling member in the form of a stick, foot pedal or the like which actuates one of, the controlling elements on the tail. A fork 20 is provided for actuating the clutch segment 16-and has an extension 22 formed with a laterall extending lug 23 that will be-engaged by't e stick as it nears the end of its movement for pushing the fork so as to actuate the clutch element 16 into engagement with the clutch element 17 so that thepropeller structure of that control element actuated by the stick 19 will be brought into operation to set up a current of air to assist in guiding the aeroplane. As the rudder bar is still further advanced to the limit of its movement, it opens the throttle and accelerates the speed of the motor and fan propeller.

I have described somewhat in'detail an example of the utility ofthe mechanism. It is quite apparent, however, that this mechanism maybe used in various other ways and 'on various other control elements than thoseillustrated, and, other examples are shown in Figures 6 and 7. It is also practical to use the mechanism as the sole means for guiding the aeroplane thus eliminating the ailerons and the usual wing like rudder and elevator or at least the movable portions thereof.

It is preferred to operate the controlling and steering propellers b a separate motor, so as to be independent 0 the main motor of the air-craft, in case the latter should stop or the air-crafts" speed should be reduced to the starting point; also for turning the craft when resting on or rolling over the ground.

The gist of the matter'is that fans are intended as a new way to control stabilizing and steering in all three nally, laterally and irectionally (all of the three stabilities) as they are called being within the scope of the invention. The old way for all three directions was by inclined surfaces depending for effectiveness on the craft having substantial speed throu h the air. The new way, by fans, is indepen ent of "sped through the air,

It is thought that the construction, operation and advantages of the invention will now be quite apparent to those skilled in this art without a more detailed description thereof.

' The present embodiment of the invention has been disclosed merely by way of example since in actual practice it attains the features of advantages enumerated as desirable in the statement of the invention and the above description. It will be apparent that numerous changes in the details of construction, and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resortedto without departin from the spirit or scope of the invention as ereinafter claimed or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. In combination with a guiding surface element of air-craft and means for operating the-same, of means for creating an air current transversely thereto and means controlling the first mentioned means through the second mentioned means.

2. In an aircraft, a surface having an opening therein, a spider mounted on the surface spanning the opening, a bearing supported by the spider structure, a shaft journaled in said bearing, propeller blades radiating from said shaft between the spider structure and in the opening, means for causing rotation of the shaft, means for controlling the surface and a mechanism actuatable by the second means 7 for causing the first mentioned means to opcrate.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature. ASA J. STYLES.

ossible ways, longitudi- 

